Compulsory synchronization control for pavers



Feb. 21, 1928.

J. F. ROBB COMPULSORY SYNCHRONIZA' IIGN CONTROL FOR PAVERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed A112. 17. 1926 gwowtoz Z3 J'FflaZb J. F. ROBB COMPULSORY SYNCHRONIZATION CONTROL FOR PAVERS Feb. 21, 1928.

Filed Au 17. 1926 s Sheets-Sheet 2 6H0: new

Feb. 21. 1928.

J. F. ROBB COMPULSORY SYNCHRONIZATION CONTROL FOR PAVERS 3 Sheets-Sheet. 3

Filed Aug. 1'7. 1926 61cm wage ill) Patented Feb. 21, I928.

naive STATES Premieres.

Jonn r. norm, or CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OHIO, i ssionon rro Koniannte eoMrAnY, or MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin, A CORPORATION.

COMPULSGRY SYNCHBONIZATION CONTROL FQR PAVERS.

Application filed. August 17, 1926. Serial No. 129,735. I

The universal practise today in building concrete roads and; pavements, and laying down the concrete base of other types of pavements, is to employ a portable mixing plant which is commonly knownas a concrete paver or paving machine. This plant embodies a concrete mixer operated by a suitable prime mover such as a gas or steam engine; means for charging the mixer, usually a loading skip; means for discharging the mixer, ordinarily a discharge chute cooperative with the mixing drum, or some means for tilting the drum itself; and means for distributing the mixed concrete as it is discharged from the mixer base to lay concrete down on the subgrade being paved.

It has been found in commercial practise, that the efliciency of a road paving job, so

called, depends largely upon the efiiciency the portable mixing and paving machine.

It has also been foundthat it desirable, if possible, to utilize the mixing and distributing machine as the pace maker for the whole work of paving, because by proper operation this machine may be caused to operate with considerable speed if the materials are supplied thereto and, therefrom under proper system of control. Moreover, it has been learned that an improperly operated paving machine may cause a very material loss to the contractor if its variousmechanical devices for charging, mixing, discharging and distributing the concrete are not efficiently timed. In explanation of this factor of eiiicient operation, it is notable that these paving machines are designed usually to mix a batch of concrete under a time control of a minute or a minute and a half. If the materials are properly supplied, mixed and dis charged, a relatively high production of mixed concrete per hour may beobtained.

However should the actions of the various associated material handling instrumentalities not be properly employed anywhere from five to fifty seconds or more of time may be lost in the handling ofceaeh batch of concrete. Hundreds of batches of coiiicrete are handled each day, the actual loss to the contractor when a few seconds of timeare lost per WVhen it is borne in mind that Setting forth thisinvention more clearly, it is further noted that the discharge operation of the mixer in an efficient type of paving machine may be effected in approximately ten seconds, and the operation of a loading or charging the mixer with aggregates ordinarily takes about the sametime Obviously, if the operator'of a paving machine turns the discharge of the mixer to discharge position and waits ten seconds for it to be discharged, thereupon raising the loading skip and charging a fresh batch of aggregates into the machine,there will be an approximate loss of about *eight seconds of time due to the delay of charging alone.

YThere is no reason [why the loading skip whlch takes some seven or eight secondsto reach its elevated'inclination to charge the aggregates into themixing drum, may not bestarted in operation simultaneously with .the rendering of the discharge chute operative to discharge. By thus'overlapping the actions of the discharge means and theloading or charging means, a saving of time may be "readily accomplished which at the end of days work will materially increase the production of a mixing machine. The foregoing not (my applies to the related actions of charging anddischarging means for the paving machine, but equally has to do with the related timing of'the introduction of rill Water into the machine,land other functions which are performed.

Having in view the foregoing, the primary object of this invention has been to produce a control mechanism for aconcrete machine which acts compulsorily so as to necessitate an overlapping of operation of the charging means and dischargingmeans and water supply means and other functions "of the parts of the machine insuch a Way as to absolutely do away with costly losses of 1 time incident to manual controls of the oper-' ating features of the machine, especially when such controls are not performed ei'ii- (file/Dilly.

Butthere are certain conditions in the operation of concrete paving machines that prevent at. times the overlapping of the ac tions of the various it may be that the vehicles bringing the aginstrumentalities to Y which I have referred above. For. instance,

gregates to the loading skip are not on time and the batch of fresh aggregates are therefore not read to be raised and charged into the mixer. r again, it may be that the occasion of delay is due to the fact that the distributing bucket which runs on a long horizontal boom has not been brought back operator of the paving machine is able to interpose his manual control and prevent the automatically synchronized movements of the charging skip, the discharging chute or means, and the water supply means.

By the compulsorysynchronizing mecha-..

nism of the invention, material savings of small time losses, that in a whole days period ofop eration are very large in the aggregate and cause really tremendous losses of eiiiclency of operation of the machine over a period of a seasons work, are done away with to the utmost possible degree, and the efficiency of the concrete producing plant is greatly increased with material savings to the owner of the machine. v s v A single embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings but I do not wish to be limited to the particular disclosure hereinafter described merely in detail because owing to the use of different types of machines the specific means thatmay be employed in the machine for performing any of its various functions may be modified or of a difierent-type from that shown.

In the said drawings z--- y Figure 1 is a side view of a certain well known type of concrete paving machine embodying the invention. s

Figure 2 is an enlarged side view of certain of the control instrumentalities by which compulsory synchronization is obtained.

Figure 3 is a view in side elevation and partly broken away, to bring out more clearly, a certain simple type of automatic discharge controlling means such as maybe employed as one of the synchronized units of the invention.

Figure a is a view illustrating a certain type of centrifugal controller and movement delaying controller for the skip.

Figure is a plan view of the batch meter, certain of the parts being broken away to show a portion of the interior mech- Figure 7 is a fragmentary view showing the actuating mechanism for the dashpot controller for the skip. V

Describing the invention specifically, as those'versed in theart are familiar with the portable paving-machines or plants to which my invention relates, it is necessary only to refer to Figure 1 as showing a typical machine now almost in universal use. This machine comprises the traction base A having the truck or base frame B and equipped with a distributing attachment C carried by said frame B and comprising a boom .C and a bucket C. On the body or frame B of the machine is mounted the mixing drum D and a suitable vertical frame work F that sup-. ports the boom C and the motor or engine E by which the mixer or drum D is operated as well as the various other moving parts of the machine. The machine is equipped with the usual loading or charging skip G pivotally mounted on the frame F by a bracket. 1 pivoted at 2. This skip G is raised and lowered by cable means 3 operated by a cable driving wheel 4 mounted on the frame F which wheel 1 is connected by cable means 5 with an operating cable drum. 18 hereinafter referred to. frame work F is the batchmeter 6 of a known type andthe miXe'r or drum D is adapted to be discharged by the movable discharge chute 7 pivotally supported by an axis 8 and connected by link means. 9 with an operating arm 10 connected by link means 11 with a'lever arm 11*" forming a part of the batchmeter operating mechanism which is controlled by the actuation of the batchmeter 6. At the end of the mixing period of a minute, or other period for which the batchmeter is set, said batchmeter 6 is tripped to cause its lever arm 6 to be raised, this at the same time actuating the batchmeter lever 12 which controls the automatic operation of the discharge chute 7 to throw the latter to and from discharging position.

The discharge chute 7 coacts with a stationary discharge chute 7 that conveys the mixed aggregates to the distributing bucket C The batchmeter lever 6 is connected by a rod with a bell crank lever 15 connected by a link 16 to the clutch 17 on the operating or drive shaft for the cable drum 18 aforesaid. Operation of the link 16 is adapted to throw the clutch 17 through the provision of a lever 14 intermediate the parts 16 and 17, which lever 1& has a handle 14: for certain manual operation as later set forth. The driving shaft carrying the drum 18 is operated from the engine E previously mentioned.

As seen best in Figure 2, thereis provided the water tank 31 partially illustrated with its outflow pipe 32 leading to what is known as a three-way valve 21 which com- Mounted on the machine li il iii) prises a connection between the water sup ply main 33 and the pipe 32, and the pipe 34: which leads from the valve to a point within the mixing drum D. The lever arm for the valve 21 is designated 35 and a snapover spring 36 cooperates with said arm to shift it past a certain dead center position and hold it at opposite sides oi such position in either of two positions. One position of the valve establishes con'imunication between the water supply pipe or main-i8 and the pipe 32 leading to the tank 3 i so that a fresh supply of water maybe tedinto the tank 31. The other position of the valve 21 cuts oil communication from the pipe'33 to the tank 31 and establishes communication between the pipe 32 and the down flow pipe 34 so that the measured quantity of water in the tank 31 will pass to the mixing drum D. i

The connection between the link 16 and the clutch throw lever ll; includes an elastic member or spring 37 and a pinand slot feature designated iii-39.

As thus far describedpthe main features oi the paving machine set forth are such as already known except that T have employed a special design of connection between the batchmeter and the clutch vli' involving the lever 14, which connection is novel and provided for purposes to be hereinafter set forth.

Next may be described the automatic, or under some conditions, the manually con trolled means for moving the discharge.

chute 7. This means may embody a casing 40 enclosing a constantly driven worm 4-1 on a shaft 412 which carries a gear 43 arranged. to mesh with one of the gear rings surrounding the drum D and by which the latter is rotated. The worm 41 is adapted to drive a worm driven disc 4E4: provided with worm receiving recesses in which the worm 11 may be received, under which conditions the drive to the disc 42 1 is discontinued. The

recesses 15 are at diametrically opposite points of the periphery of the disc 44. The drive irom'the worm 41 to the member 14' is established peculiarly by means of a driving worm gear 46 engaging the worm 4:1 and constantly driven thereby. The driving disc shaft 14 is provided with the arm 11 previously referred to as operating the link means 11 to turn the chute 7 to or from its Normally, the gear said rod engages a pin 53 on the lever 48 and rocks the lever 48. This causes a cam 54015 the lever 48 to engage the adjacentpin 17 and project it from the disc 4 1 into an 1 nects the two levers 55 anddS tending to' hold the lever l8 out of the path of the pins;

47 and the lever 55 in the path of said pins.

A link connection 57 between the two levers s8 and 55 permits IIIClBPBIlClGHtTOClZ- ing movement of these leiers and moreover,

rocks the lever 55 out of the path of the pins 17 as the lever 48 is caused to engage one of said pins.

will movethe discharge chute 7 from non discharging position to discharging posi- A one-half revolution of the disc 44 as controlled by the aboveemeans tion, and another such movement of the disc will carr the dischar e chute from its discharging position back to its nondischargmg posltlon.

The lower end of the rod 51 is hinged or pivoted at 61 to the body of the rod and the lower extremity of the pivoted portion,

designated 51 is formed with a cam which operatesbetweentwo camming rollers 63, the purpose of which is to cause a lateral movement of the lower pivoted end 51, of the rod 51 to swing the lach 52 lat-v Y orally to a position in which it escapes from the pin 53.

Mounted on the upper portion of the frame work F to be actuated by the loading or charging skip G is an actuating lever 64, said lever having a slotted link connection 19 with the batchmeter mechanism "for the operation'of said batchmeter as hereinafter set forth. struck at its lower end by a roller or projection 17 on the charging skip G. For the automatic operationof the valve 21, its arm 35 isconnected by a rod 24 with a bell crank lever 23 which has a rod 22 extending down wardly and connecting it with the trip lever 20 pivoted to the frame F. The rod 2 can Ties-an abutment member 24 adapted to engage and be operated by an adjustable collar or member 19 on the rod 19 as later set forth.

Interference means are provided for: co-

operation with the batcluneter arm 12 and a pin 28 projecting 1 1011121 side of the lever 12, sald angle. lever being connected by a The lever 64 isadapted to be includes an angle lever 28 iengageable with rodl26 attached at its lower end to an angle lever 27, connected by a horizontal rod 27" with the clutch lever 14-.

The batchmeter 6 is of usual construction and carries the setting shaft o which in Figure 5- is turned to the left or counterclockwise upon the setting or time measuring position as shown in full lines. After the mixing period has elapsed, the batchmeter mechanism-releases the'shaft 6 and a spring, not shown, rotates the shaft 6* to the right, positioning the parts as shown in dotted lines. In order to provide an automatic skiphoist clutch control, and an auto matic discharge chute control, which are nor mally under control of the batchmeter it provide a constantly rotating shaft 80 driven by the gear 4-3 from the drum ring gear through the vertical shaft 89 and bevel gears and 60", the latter on a shaft 69.

The shaft has splined thereon the clutch element 81 adapted to engageand rotate a worm 82 loosely journaled on said shaft. The worm 82 meshes with a. worm wheel 83 journaled on a sleeve as which also carries the power discharge trip cams 84, and the skip hoist actuating cam er. Qhe sleeve 84 terminates in a flange or disc 86 and is provided with a friction surface 85 which is held in contact with face 88 of the worm wheel 83 by a spring 86*. The tension of the spring may be adjusted by screwing upon the collar 87 which is threaded upon the end off-the sleeve 84. A friction clutch is thus provided so that if a. delayed dischargeis necessary, as when thelever 28" is moved beneath the pin 2'8 to prevent the arm "12 from being depressed, the sleeve and cam elements will be held from rotation although the clutch 81 may at that time be engaged with the worm 82 causing rotation of the worm wheel 83; No breakage of part can thus occur.

Thebatchmeter shaft 6" is connected by the link 6 to one arm of the anglelever 6". The angle lever 6 is pivoted on the stub shaft 6 indie connected to the skip actuated rod 19 by a pin 6 located at the ex tremit-y of its other arm. A slot 19 is provided on the end'of the rod 19 receiving the pin 6. V

It will be observed that after the skip in rising has pulled the rod l9'to the right, (note the diagrammatic showing in Figure 2), asithe skip is again lowered, the roller 17 will actuate the rod 22 through the lever 20 and bell crank 23 to return the three-way wateriank valve 21 to tank filling position. This moves the abutment 24 to the left which will, thru the abutment 2d striking, thru the abutment 19 on the rod 19, cause said rod to be moved to the left or initial position. Since the lever 6 (Figure 5) is held from movement until after the predetermined mixing period has elapsed, the slot 19 in the rod 19 must be provided because it is very desirable to fill the water tank, as soon after its discharge as possible; It will be observed that the lever 6 also actuates another arm 6 which-in turn reciprocates tension or hearing foot 9%.

of the flange 96.

the friction a vertically disposed rod 88. This rod 88 is slotted at 89 to receive apin 90 projecting from the lever 6. W hen the rod 88 is moved downwardly (due to its connection with the arm (i by the skip G, the upper end of the slot 89 will move the skip hoist clutch actuating lever 6 downward and disengage hoist clutch, thus arresting the sk'ps upward movement, as the skip reaches itsupper limit of movement.

In the lower right hand corner of the batchmeter case is located a sliding or recip rocating cam 91 for engaging the clutch 81 with the worm 82 tocause rot: ion of the worm wheel 88. The cam 91 engages the clutch actuating lever 92 to swing said lever (92) to the left clutching the sleeve 82 with the splined driving element 81.. The lever 92 is pivoted at 93 and carries a hooked e2;-

lVhile the clutch element is disengaged, this foot 94' is en gaged by the shoulder 95 in the periphery- However, when the clutch 81 is engaged and after the worm wheel 83 and disc 96 have made a fractional rotative movement, the foot 9 l will rest upon the periphery of the disc 96 and maintain or lock the clutch 81 engaged for one half of a revolution or until the second notch and shoulder engages the foot 94, at which time the spring '97 will return the lever 92' to its declutched position.

The cam element 91 has a slot and pin connection 98 with the lower extremity of the rod 88 and is so constructed that it will actuate the lever 92 to engage the clutch 8i and unlock the disc 96 for rotation upon each upward or downward movement of the said rod 88.

With the parts as shown in Figure 5 of the drawings representing the batchmeter set-by the skip and under control of the said batchmeter'timing mechanism; at the end of the mixing period the shaft (6*) is released and a spring in the batchmeter (not shown) moves the parts from full line positions to=the dotted line positions.

The angle lever 6 is rocked to the left raising the rod 88, which in turn raises the cam 91 causing aclutching engagement of the driving element 81 with the worm 82. The foot 94 of the clutch lever 92 having now passed out of the depression rides on the periphery of the disc 96 holding the clutch 81 engaged. Due to the frictional engagement of the disc 96 with the worm gear 88 one of the cams 84- will cause the lever 12 to be moved downward thereby actuating the power discharge 40 causing the discharge chute to be turned to discharge position.

Simultaneously with the engagement of cam 84? and lever 12 or slightly behind the engagement of the said cam and lever, de= pendingupon the desired relations of the int) ' tion and the aggregates begin to slide into the drum, the roller 17 on the skip bracket will engage the lever 64 whereupon the rod 19 is moved or pulled to the right. This turns on the water and sets the batchmeter, agaln shifting the parts as seen 1n Figure 5, to the full line positions. The rod 88 is moved this time downwardly and the cam 91 again causes a half revolution of the disc 96 and the cams 84c and 84 The cams 84: having been diametrically opposite from the position as shown in Figure 5 moves to the position shown in that figure, but does not function during this half cycle of operation. The other cams ar again] actuate the lever 12 which in turn actuates the power discharge, thereby turning the discharge chute from discharging to mixing position. The downward movement of the rod 88 causes the upper extremity of the slot 89 to engage the pin 90 on the lever 6 rocking it downwardly and disengaging the skip hoist clutch 17. The skip is momentarily held by the brake band and clash-pot and then lowered by the safety governor.

In the event of a delayed discharge, the operator will grasp the lever 1 L holding the clutch 17 out of engagement with the skip hoist drum. Since the angle lever or latch member 28 is operatively connected to the skip hoist manual control lever 14, the latch member 28 will prevent the operation of the disc member 96 andcams 84 and 84 which of course takes place after the timing 1nechanism in the batchmeter has tripped and in the event that the operator manually holds the clutch '17 disengage. The disc 96 may rotate a very slight degree, sufiicient toposition the foot 94 on the periphery thereof. This is in order that the operator by his release of the lever 17 permitting the latch 28 to be Withdrawn form the path of the pin or the lever 12 may cause the proper functioning of parts. The lever 12 in turn being new free to swin releases the cam 84Fand disc 96. The mac ine will again under these conditions operate synchronously and automatically, it being only necessary to keep the machine supplied with aggregates.

The operation of the clutch knockout mechanism of course occurs in the upward movement of the skip G and there are provided suitable means for holding the skip a few seconds at its upward limit of movement and thereafter causing the skip to lower automatically and with retarded movement under a special. brake control. Figure 4: illustrates a means for accomplishing the last mentioned result and embodies a centrifugal operating brake involving a rotor 66 carried by the skip hoist drum and equipped with centrifugal weight levers 67 each connected by toggle links 68 with the opposite ends of a pair of brake shoes 69. The brake shoes 69 act on the interior of a brake'drum 70, the exterior of which is provided with ratchet teeth 71 cooperative with aratchet pawl 72. The brake drum 69 is coaxial with theshaft F. Aclutch flange 7 3 carried by the skip hoist drum is surrounded and engaged by a clutch band 74;. The clutch band 74 is adapted to be applied with clutch engagement to the clutch flange 7 3 by an actuating lever 7 5 operable under the control of a dash-pot 77, the piston member 76 of which has a piston rod .78 encircled by springs 79. A pinprojecting from the rod 30 sets the dash-pot upon each downward movement of said rod, which occurs at each clutch throwout of the skip hoist clutch. I

By the use of the automatic dash-pot and centrifugal brake control above described, the whole operation of the skip G becomes automatic if desired, and'subject to interferenceonly as now set forth.

Should it be desired that the skip Gr not be raised for discharging the same, in synchronism with the dischargeof the mixer B by the chute 7, all the operator of the machine has to do is to grasp the handle l i of the clutch lever 14' and hold the clutch 17 out of engagement with the drum 18 even though the batchmeter' operates to actuate the lever 6 that would otherwise throw the clutch 17' into active relation with the drum. Under these conditions, of course I said lever to the right asseen in Figure 2 to thereby rock the locking lever 28 previously describeduntil said lever engages in the under side of the, batchmeter lever 12. Under these conditions, the lever 12 will be held upraised when the batchmeter 6 is set off and the rod'51, see Figure 3, cannot be forced downwards in order to cause the operation of the discharge chute.

'Itis notable that as the ski G moves downwardly, its member 17 wil "strike the upper side of thetrip lever 20 and will rock the lever 23 actuating the rod 2d insuch a manner as to shut off theconnection between the tank 31 and the mixing drum D and re establish the communication between the water supply pipe 33 and said tank. This action is performed on the batchmeter resetting operation; he tank 31 is thus re filled in good time so that it maybe supplied with a measured quantity of water to belater discharged when the skip ascends to charge the solid-aggregates into the mixer.

General operation of mechanism.

.Let it ,be understood, that a timed period for the mix ng of a batch of concrete aggregates in the mixer Dhas ended. The,

batchmeter operates as usual. As it is. pro; posed that the cycles of discharging and charging the drum D are to be synchronized, the immediate objective at this time is to cause operation of.- the above parts. Thus on the operation of the, batchmeter as stated above the arm' 12 will move downwards correspondingly moving the rod 51, see" Figure 3, and actuating the lever 48 to connect the disc 44 with the worm gear 26, Tljiereupon the discharge chute through the operation of the parts 11, 11, land 10, will be. actuated to carry it from its previous non-discharging position to a discharging position. The aggregates in the drum will then flow into the distributing bucket C.

Simultaneously, with the downward'movement of the arm 12, the arm 6 of the batchmeter 6 moves upwards and causes a rocking of the lever 15, and movement of the connection 16 to carry the clutchj17 of shaft E into engagement with the skip hoisting cable drum 18. The clutch l' imay be a jaw clutch, as illustrated, or a friction clutch, if desired. Thus, as the mixer D is being discharged by the discharge chute 7,

. the clutchl? will beopcrative, to'cause the WllilI the lever 64 the skip exert-sa pull on the slotted link 19 and resets the hatchmeter for a subsequent operation, namely, a control period which ismeasured from the time of .lIltIOClllCtlOIl. of the aggregates, and water preferably, into the mixer. Owing to the fact that the collar 19 on the member '19 strikes the'abutment 24 on the rod 2-1 when the batchmeter is. reset, an outward pull on the rod 24 is efii'ected which throws the threeing drum, and means for synchronizing);

way valve 21 by actuating its arm 35 so as to discharge the measured quantity of water in the tank 31 into the mixing drum 83.

This action is timed to synchronize it with tion of the cl1ar91in of acgrecutes into the L1 D c n i 1 mixer and charging of water into the mixer,

so no time will be lost in respect to the last mentioned operation. As the skip G reaches its maximum extreme of movement upwards the clutchknockout mechanism is operated to unclutch the clutch 17 from the drum 18, as usual.

:Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In a mixing machine of the class described, in combination, a. mixer, charging means therefor, discharging means therefor, and means for compelling synchronizing of the actions of the said charging and discharging means to simultaneouslydischarge the mixer and cause operation of the charging means.

2.[In a machine of the class described, in combination, a concrete mixer, ater supply means therefor, control means for the water supply means, means for charging solid aggregates into the mixer, means for discharging .mixed concrete from the mixer, and means for compelling synchronizing of the actions of the discharging means and the water control means.

. In amixing machine, a mixingdrum.

,means whereby to discharge said drum of mixed concrete, means for charging the drum with aggregates to be mixed therein,

and .batchmeter mechanism for controlling the synchronizing of the operations of the fllast two; means, to overlap their ell'ectire discharging and charg ng operating periods,

mixed concrete, means for rliarging the drum with. aggregates to be mixed therein. and batchmeter mechanism for controlling thev Synchronizing of the operations of the last two means, water supply means for the mix- I119 operation of said water supply means with the operations of the chargii'ig means and operation of said water supply means, with the operations of the charging means and discharging means, including operating instrumentalities between the charging means and the water supply means.

6. In amixing machine, in con'lbination, a

mixing drum, means whereby to cause discharge of concrete therefrom, a loading skip for charging the drum, clutch-control means for operating said loading skip and means for causing simultaneous operation of the said discharging means and the clutch operfor operating said loading skip and means ating means for for causing simultaneous operation of the said discharging means and the clutch operthe loading skip, including a batchmeter.

8. In a mixing machine, in combination, a mixing drum, means whereby to cause discharge of concrete therefrom, a loading skip for charging the drum, clutch control means foroperating said loading skip and means for-causing simultaneous operation of the said discharging means and the clutch operating means for the loading: skip, including a batchmetei', water supply means for the drum, control means for said water supply means and operating means intermediate the loading skip and the said control means for causing the operation of the water control means simultaneously with the action of the loading skip and the discharge action of the discharging means. 9. In a mixing machine, in combination, a mixing drum, charging means therefor, means whereby to discharge the drum, operating devices for the charging'means and the discharging means, and means foractuating said operating devices to cause simultaneous effective action ofthe discharging means and charging means.

10. In a mixing machine, in combination, a mixing drum, charging means therefor, means whereby to discharge the drum, operating devices for the charging means and the discharging means, and means for actuating the said operating devices to cause simultameans whereby to discharge the drum, oper- -al]1Ilg"ClV1CS for the chargmgineans and 'the discharging means, and means for actu ating the said operating devices to cause simultaneous effective action of the discharging means and charging means, includinga batchmeter having control features common to the charging and discharging means, and

means for initiating the operation of the batchmeter from the charging means.

12. In a mixing machine, a mixing drum," means whereby to discharge said drum of mixed concrete, means for charging the drum with aggregates to be mixed therein, and batchmeter mechanism for controlling the action of the aggregates charging means.

13. In a mixing machine, a mixing drum, means whereby to discharge said drum'of mixed concrete, means for charging the drum with aggregates to be mixed therein, and batchmeter mechanism for determining the time of a proper mixing period for the aggre gates, combined with instrumentahties for causing charging action of the said charging means by the batchmeter.

14-. In a mixing machine, in combination,

a mixing drum, charging means therefor,

means whereby to discharge the drum, opermeans therefor, discharging means therefor,

means for compelling synchronizing of the actions of the saidcharging and discharging means,and a manually operable instrumentality to interfere with the action of the compelling means. g

16. In a mixing machine, a mixing drum, means whereby to dischargesaid drum of mixed concrete, means for charging the drum with aggregates to be mixed therein, batchmeter mechanism forcontrolling the synchronizing of the operations of the last two means, to' overlap their operating pcriods, and a single manual device to prevent the batchmeter mechanism from causing the operation of the charging means or discharging means, atlwill.

17. In a mixing machine, a mixing drum, means whereby to discharge said drum of mixedconcrete,'n'1eans for charging the drum with aggregates tobe mixed therein, batchmeter mechanism for controlling the synchronizing of the operations of the last two means, to overlap their operating periods, and a single manual deviceto prevent the batchmeter mechanism from causing-the operation of the charging means or dischargin means, at will, comprising independent on crating parts, certain for the discharging means, and others for the charging means.

18. In a mixingimachine, in combination, a'mixing drum, means whereby to cause dis charge of concrete therefrom, aloa ding skip for charging the drum, clutch control means foroperating said'loading skip means for causing simultaneous operation of the Said of the charging means operable also to interfere With the operation of the discharging means.

20, In a mixing machine,a nixing drum, means whereby to discharge said drum of mixed concrete, means tor charging the drum With aggregatesto be mixed therein, batchmeter mechanism for. controlling the synchronizing of the operations of the last two means, to overlap theiroperating period's, and a single manual device to, prevent the batchmeter mechanism from causingthe operation of the charging means or discharging means, at will, comprising independent operati parts, certain for a the 2; discharging means, and others for the charging means, including connections to interfere with the {lQtlQlLQf either the loading skip ordischarge mean-s.

21. In a mixing machine, in combination, a mixing drum, means whereby to, cause discharge of concrete therefrom, a loading ship for charging the drum, clutch control means for operating said loading ship, and means for causing simultaneous operation of the said discharging means and theclutch op erating means for the l'Q tding skip,including a batchmeter, Water supply means for the drum, control means for said ater supply means and operating means intermediate the loading skip, and the said control means for causingthe operation of: the Water control means simultaneously with the action of the loading skip, and {the discharging means to supply ater to the drum at the same time as the skip charges solid aggregates into the same, and means operable by the skip to reset the batchineter for operation and out off the-supply of Wtt91;t0 the drum;

2:2. In: a mixing machine, in combination,

M a mixing drum, charging means therefor,

means whereby to discharge the drum, operating dev ces for the charging means and the discharg ng means, means for actuating said operatin devices to cause simultaneous r charging means to non-discharging position.

period of time necessary to elapse to vinsure a proper mix oi aggregates within the drum, said control device being operatively connected tothe drum discharging means to cause a discharge thereof and an operation of thev charging device, and means opera tively connected to the charging device to cause the resetting of the said time control device and a return of the discharge device to non-discharging position prior to any discharge of the fresh aggregates introduced into, the drum by the charging means.

'24. In a, mixing machine, a mixing drum, a discharge device for emptying the drum and a charging device for loading the drum, a time control device for predetermining the period of time ,nec ssary to elapse-to insure a proper mix of aggregates Within the, drum, said controi device being operatively connected to the drum discharging means to cause a discharge thereof and an operation of the charging device, means opcratively connected to the charging device to cause the resetting of the said time control device anda return of the discharge crevice to nondischarging position prior to any discharge of the iresh aggregates introduced into the drum by the charging means, and means for returning the charging device to its initial position.

25. In a mixing machine, a, mixing drum, a discharge device for emptying the drum and a char ing device for loading the drum, a time control device for predeterminin-g the period of time necessary to elapse to insure a proper mix of aggregates Within the drum,

said control device being operatively connected to the charging device to cause the resettingot the said time control device and a return of the discharge device to non discharging position prior to any discharge of the fresh aggregates introduced into the drum by the charging means, means for returning the charging devicevto itsinitial position, and means under manual control for delaying or intertering with the normal function of the charging and discl-iarging means.

26. In a mixing machine, the combination of amixing drum, a charging device for delivering aggregates into the drum, a discharging device for removing the aggregates from the drum, and a control device adapted to beset by the chargingdevice for causing, a return of the discharging device to non-discharging position, said control device being adapted to cause automatic operation of the discharging ClGVlCQ: for emptying the drum and automatic operation of said cnargn'ig device for loading the drum, the

setting of said control device by the charging means being so arranged as to occur just prior to loading the fresh aggregates into the drum.

27. In a mixing machine, the combination of a mixing drum. a charging means, a discharging means and a control device for causing automatic operations of said charging and discharging means, and means for automatically suplying a predetermined quantity of water into the mixing drum with each operation of the charging device.

28. In a mixing machine, the combination of a mixing drum, a charging means, a discharging means and a control device for causing automatic operations of said charging and discharging means, means for automatically supplying a predetermined quan tity of water into the mixing drum with each operation of the charging device, and a manual control for interrupting the auto matic functions of said charging, discharging and control devices.

29. In a mixing machine, in combination. a mixing drum, means for charging said drum with aggregates, and a, batchmeter for automatically causing operation of the charging means.

30. Means as set forth in claim 29, combined with. manual meansto interfere with the operation of the charging means by the batchmeter.

31. Means as set forth in claim 29, combined with water supply means for the mixing drum operable under the control of the batchmeter.

32. Means set forthin claim 29, combined with water supply means for the mixing drum operable under the control of the batchmeter indirectly through the action of the charging means.

33. Means as set forth in claim 29, com bined with charging means operable under the control of the batchmeter, and manual devices to separately interfere at will with the automatic action of the charging means and the discharging means by the batchmeter.

34. In a concrete mixing machine, in combination, a mixer charging means for feeding concrete aggregates to a mixer, means whereby discharging of the mixer may be effected, and means for causing automatic operations of the charging and discharging means.

35. Means as set forth in claim 34 wherein the automatic means mentioned is arranged to effect a series of continuing operations of the charging and discharging means.

36. Means as set forth in claim 34, wherein the automatic means acts to cause a series of continuing operations of the charging and discharging means, combined with manual devices that may be used at will to delay the actions of either the discharging means or the charging means.

37. In a concrete mixing machine, in combination, a mixer charging means for feeding concrete aggregates to the mixer, means whereby discharge of the mixer may be effected, and means for causing automatic operations of the charging and discharging means, the actions of the charging and discharging means so coordinated as to cause an overlapping of the time of operation of the discharging means with the operation of the charging means so that the discharging means will be operative during the charging cycle of action.

38. Means as set forth in claim 34, Wherein the automatic means acts to cause a series of continuing operations of the charging and discharging means, combined with manual devices that may be used at will to delay the actions of either the discharging means or the charging means, the times of operation of the charging and discharging means being coordinated so that the discharging means is made operative'during the effective charging operation of the mixer by the charging means, and the necessity of delaying the action of the discharging means until the charging means has finished its efiective operation is avoided.

39. In a machine of the kind described having a driving member, charging control mechanism, discharge control mechanism, and automatic mechanism actuated from the driving member for operating said charging and. discharge control mechanism in a cycle of timed relation and for continuously repeating said cycle in timed relation.

40. In a mixing machine of the class described, in combination with a skip, of means to raise the skip, means to control lowering thereof, and means for automatically controlling both said operations and for automatically controlling the entire cycle of operation of the skip to rise, discharge, and assume its original receiving position.

41. In concrete mixing apparatus of the class described, in combination, 'a charging device, means for automatically initiating and causing movement thereof to chargin position and for discontinuing movement or the said device at such position, means for maintaining the charging device in charging position for a predeterminedlength of time, and means automatically initiating its return movement and restoring the charging device to its original position.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

JOHN F. ROBE. 

